Building blocks



March 12, 1963 c. AMlCl BULDING BLOCKS Filed Dec. 10, 1959 United States Patent 3,080,674 BUILDING BLOCKS Charles Amici, 286 Western Drive N., South Orange, NJ. Filed Dec. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 858,730 1 Claim. (Ci. 46-25) This invention relates generally to toy building blocks, and to a composite building composed thereof, the blocks having individual structural features whereby they may be interlocked by sliding action or snap-on action, in a self-supporting relationship in a variety of positions to meet the form of structural assembly in which the blocks are used. The invention contemplates various sizes and configurations, which are related to a predetermined dimension of a standard rectangular or cylindrical block, so as to constitute fractional portions or multiples of the standard block, as is known in the art.

Devices of this type have been used in the prior art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details whereby the face of the blocks may have a more realistic appearance than has heretofore been possible using prior art constructions, and whereby the reverse side of the block forms a distinctly different pattern than the face side.

Among the principal disadvantages of prior art constructions is the failure to simulate face brick or stone, which is assembled using mortar to cement and hold the bricks together. In the assembled building, the idividual bricks are separated from each other, by what is known in the building art as pointing, whereby a portion of the motar is exposed. Where the building simulates log type construction, the logs are normally separated by a clay-like mud filler, which seals the cracks against the entry of drafts. Previous log-cabin type toy constructions have eliminated the representation of this filler. Another disadvantage of prior art constructions is the limitation of construction to a single face pattern, viz, the logcabin type construction in the prior art can only produce log-cabin effects, but in the present invention (see FIG- URE a block for log-type construction can also (when the block is reversed) be used to construct conventional flat surfaced construction.

it is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved type of toy building block in which the above mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved toy building block comprised of several rectangular planar portions superimposed upon each other in staggered relation in such manner that the outermost planar portion represents the face of a brick or portion of a log, while the next inner rectangular portion represents the mortar or filler employed in actual construction.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved building block as above described which may be molded from suitable synthetic resinous materials in a unitized manner, it being unnecessary to further assemble the various rectangular portions comprising the individual building blocks.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of proportion, whereby the blocks may be used in horizontal and vertical combinations.

A feature of the invention lies in the versatility of the various forms of blocks comprising the invention, whereby a wide variety of constructions may be made, and due to a sliding or snap-on feature, it is possible to shift blocks without dismantling the entire construction. This also creates the possibility of an arrangement of open, alternate spaces in construction, when desired.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the prog- 3,080,674 Patented Mar. 12, 1963 ress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective showing a completed fully assembled building constructed using the building blocks comprising the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective showing one form of building block comprising the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective showing another form of building block comprising the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective showing a third type of building block.

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective showing a fourth type of building block.

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective showing a fifth type of building block.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view showing a composite assembly of building blocks of the types illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3, 6 and 9..

FIGURE 8 is a view in perspective showing a sixth type of building block.

FIGURE 9 is a view in perspective showing a seventh type of building block.

FIGURE 10 is a view in perspective showing an eighth type of building block.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a ninth type of building block.

FIGURE 12 is a View in perspective showing another composite structure capable of being assembled using components comprising the invention.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing an alternate form of roof.

In accordance with the invention, there are provided a plurality of blocks 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, as well as elongated members 24?.

The block 11, as best seen in FIGURE 2, is of generally rectangular configuration, including a column 21 having two adjacent sides 22 and 23, which are outside surfaces and two adjacent sides 24- and 25, which have a groove and a tongue respectively, as well as a hollow square bore 26. The block 11 can be used as a right or left corner, inside or outside corner, and can also be used as a roof peak and/ or as a foundation block. A corresponding projection 31 is disposed on the opposite end so that a plurality of blocks 11 may be assembled, or in the alternative, they may be provided with bores 26 on each of the longer ends thereof and used in conjunction with bloclcs 12 for integration, as indicated in FIGURE 1. Bore 26 does not necessarily have to be a square configuration.

The blocks 12 may be employed as final members at the end of an assembly of blocks 11 (see FIGURE 7), and may also be used as interconnecting pieces in such assembly. Each block includes a first rectangular portion 33 bounded by side edges 34, 35, 36 and 37 which, in assembled condition, are coextensive with sides 22-25, inclusive. A pair of nesting plates, one of which is indicated by reference character 38, corresponds to the configuration of the bore 26 in each of the blocks 11 to facilitate assembly in a well known manner.

The 'blocks 13 are best seen in FIGURE 4, and include a first rectangular portion 41, a second rectangular portion 42, a third'rectangular portion 43, and a fourth rectangular portion 44. The exposed outer surface 45 on the rabbeted portion 44 may be finished to simulate a face brick or stone, and it will be observed that the exposed portion of the third rectangular portion 43 forms a representation of the mortar or pointing.

The exposed outer surface on the reverse side of block 13 is flat and when assembled with said surface as face surface, no mortar (etc.) can be seen, and a fiat, smooth construction results, simulating wood planking, either vertically or horizontally.

The block 14 is suitable for disposition under a roof gable, and is correspondingly triangularly shaped. The block 14 includes a triangular solid portion 48 having an incline surface 49 upon which a roof gable may rest as well as exposed surface 50 which may be finished to resemble face brick. The projecting tongues 51 and 52 define a groove 53 in which a correspondingly projecting tongue on another block is selectively engageable.

The block illustrated in FIGURE 6 is substantially similar to the block 13 shown in FIGURE 4, except that it is of approximately three times the length of the block 13. Parts corresponding to those of the block 13 have accordingly been designated with similar reference characters with the additional sufiix a.

Referring to FIGURE 8, the block 16 is suitable for use in representing openings, such as windows and doorways, and may be made in a variety of sizes as best seen in FIGURE 1. A centrally disposed rectangular portion 59 is combined with staggered or offset L-shaped pieces 69 and 61 which form a two-sided groove to make the block 16 interchangeable and engageable with other blocks comprising the invention. The shape of block 16 may be varied to provide the desired shape of opening, as is Well known in the art.

Referring to FIGURE 9, the block 17 is employed as a coping member, and includes a flat plate 66 from which extend a pair of tongues 67 and 68 defining a groove 69 therebetween. The exposed edge 70 is adapted to project outwardly of the exposed surfaces of other blocks representing face brick in a realistic manner as seen in FIGURE 1.

In FIGURE 10, there is seen a block 18 resembling in most respects that seen in FIGURE 6, but employed where it is desired to represent building employing logs, rather than bricks. Accordingly, the block 18 includes first, second and third rectangular portions 76, 77 and 78, respectively, and a rounded portion 80 which represents a portion of a log, secured to the exposed surface of the rectangular portion 78. The exposed portion of the rectangular portion 73 represents the filler of earth or clay, normally employed in actual construction of log cabins and similar structures. The exposed outer stuface on the reverse side of the block is flat and when assembled with said surface as face surface, conventional construction is possible.

The block 19 illustrated in FIGURE 11 is generally similar, and accordingly, parts corresponding to the block 18 have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional suffix a. There is also provided an additional rounded portion 84 which permits the block to be used in the erection of model fences and similar external walls where both sides of the wall will be exposed to view.

An alternate form of fence is illustrated in FIGURE 12, wherein blocks 11 are employed in conjunction with elongated members 20 to form a representation of a picket fence or similar device.

Referring to FIGURE 1, various types of blocks 11- 19, inclusive, are employed in the assembly of a complete building generally indicated by reference character 10, and the roof 72 may be of cardboard or similar bendable planar material. Where desired, the blocks 14 may be eliminated by forming the roof with a plurality of precreased lines wherein angularly disposed roof elements 73 may be formed, or in the alternative, a completely fiat roof 74 of the type shown in FIGURE 13 may be employed.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

I claim:

A building block comprising: a first planar rectangular portion, a second planar rectangular portion, laterally ott'set with respect to said first planar portion, a third planar portion disposed coextensively in laminar relation, and having a rabbeted portion thereon corresponding to said second planar portion, said rabbeted portion forming a recess corresponding in width to the thickness of said second planar portion.

Corser Feb. 8, 1938 Anderson Mar. 14, 1939 

